While both stars are not close to retirement yet, Ronaldo at 33 and Messi aged 30, are nearer to the end of their world-beating careers than the start.

That said, the La Liga duo are still very much performing at the peak of their powers.

For Lineker, who enjoyed a three-season spell at the Camp Nou in the late 1980s, he feels the Spanish top-flight has been the world’s best league for some time, mainly because of the success of Ronaldo and Messi.

But, with the Premier League’s stock rising ever more, the 57-year-old feels La Liga – as a brand – will take a massive hit whenever either the famed twosome move on or retire.

“The two of them are now getting towards the back end of their careers, and when they go, which sadly for all of us they will, it is going to be impossible to replace them,” Lineker, who scored 48 times for England, told Planet Football.

“You have to remember that Real Madrid and Barcelona have a magical appeal to players all over the world and can generally sign who they want, but they have had Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at their peak for the last few years, which has been a deciding factor in so many big games.

“I would say we (the Premier League) have halved the gap that was there a couple of years back, and with the money in the English game we should get even closer in the next couple of years.”

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Roberto 7. Picked his moments to raid forward intelligently, regularly injecting pace into his team’s attacks with quick breaks. Defended excellently against Filipe Luis and contained Griezmann well near the end.

Pique 8. Absolutely commanding in defence despite clearly being troubled by a bandaged knee. Won everything he had to win and started countless attacks with precision passing. Headed narrowly over from a corner.

Umtiti 8. Like Pique, he was outstanding in the heart of defence, standing up to Costa’s physical presence with no problems and rarely looking even troubled. A colossus.

Alba 8. A key feature of Barca’s attacking play, always available as a dangerous outlet on the left and using the ball with ambition but calmness. Also did a very good defensively.

Rakitic 7. Understated but highly effective in midfield, doing the simple things well to help his team control the game. Happy to sacrifice personal glory for the sake of the team, he was positionally disciplined throughout.

Busquets 9. Magisterial in the centre of the field, directing the play like an orchestra conductor and somehow always able to find space in the congested central areas. Also came close to scoring with a thunderous left-footed volley from a corner.

Iniesta 7. Excellent in the opening stages, controlling the midfield and having an early shot deflected wide. But could only complete 35 minutes after suffering a hamstring injury.

Coutinho 7. Started on the right on a front three, before moving onto the left of midfield after Iniesta’s injury. Saw plenty of the ball and forced a couple of first half saves from Oblak after skilful bursts forward. Less involved in the second half but still posed danger.

Messi 8. A slow start but soon burst into life, beating three defenders to shoot low at Oblak before fizzing a brilliant free-kick into the top corner. Well shackled by Atletico for much of the game but always a threat and saw a second half strike deflected over. Booked for a late challenge on Filipe Luis.

Suarez 7. Worked hard to sniff out gaps in Atletico’s defence, always looking to combine with Coutinho. Had a low first half shot blocked, had a second half goal disallowed for offside and curled a late effort wide, and did not stop running all afternoon.

Subs

Gomes 6. Came on for Iniesta, taking Coutinho’s position on the right wing, but soon drew the ire of the home fans with a couple of poor touches. Improved as the game went on but looks low in confidence.

Paulinho 6. Introduced for the latter stages and used his physical presence to help keep his team on top.

ATLETICO MADRID

Oblak 6. Good early save from Coutinho’s deflected cross but had no chance with the opener. Made a handful of routine stops and an excellent reflex save from Busquets’ powerful volley.

Vrsaljko 5. Showed early attacking intent down the right. But he was booked for fouling Suarez and that seemed to subdue him before he was replaced.

Godin 7. Superb positioning allowed him to snuff out several dangerous moments, helping limit Barca to just a sprinkling of clear chances.

Gimenez 7. Used his pace and strength to contain his compatriot Suarez relatively well. The two Uruguayans had a right battle and it was just about honours even.

Luis 5. Unable to exert his usual attacking influence and was replaced for the final 15 minutes.

Saul 6. Subdued in the first half on the right of midfield but was moved into the centre, and his energy played a role in Atletico’s attempted comeback without ever truly shining.

Gabi 5. Had a containing role in the centre of the pitch but was never more than on the fringes of the action before being replaced midway through the second half.

Partey 7. Played the holding position in midfield and did well to serve as his team’s central fulcrum, also sending a long-rage drive just wide, but fouled Messi for the free-kick opener. Moved to right-back in the second half and continued to be solid.

Koke 6. Limited influence on the left of midfield for the opening hour but was then moved into a central role as Atletico chased an equaliser and became more of a factor.

Griezmann 6. Worked hard defensively without much posing attacking threat in the opening period. Moved to the left wing for the final 25 minutes. Fired his only sight of goal well over and couldn’t repeat his outstanding recent form.

Costa 5. Invisible in the first half but gradually grew into the game as Atletico stepped up their intensity and targeted him with long balls, but he will now be hoping to be let out of Umtiti’s pocket.

Subs

Correa 6. Came on after an hour and made an initial impact down the right with his directness, but Alba contained him well.

Gameiro 6. Chased everything in an attempt to add more urgency to Atletico’s attack. Had a late leveller ruled out for offside.

Hernandez 6. Showed glimpses of his class after coming on at left-back for the latter stages.

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